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Boy flies Arik Air from Benin to Lagos, hiding in tyre hole

August 25, 2013 : Oyetunji Abioye, James Azania and Udeme Ekwere

Stowaway: Pix 1: A teenage boy, Daniel Ihekina, who hid in the tyre hole of Arik Air flying from Benin to Lagos. Pix 2: The boy being led away by security agents. | credits: File copy

A teenager beat airline and airport security at the Benin Airport and sneaked into the tyre compartment of a Lagos-bound Arik plane, where he flew safely to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on Saturday morning.

There was, however, pandemonium at the airside of the Lagos airport when passengers disembarking from the aircraft saw the teenager as he emerged from the undercarriage (aircraft tyre hole) to join fellow travellers.

The adolescent stowaway, identified as Daniel Ihekina, was immediately arrested by security officials at the airport.

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and Arik Air confirmed the incident.

Although the General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, said full and urgent investigation had commenced into the mysterious circumstances that led to the huge breach in airport and airline security, the situation has continued to beat the imagination of aviation authorities in the country.

The situation, which has become a major source of worry among the authorities, has also led to a blame game between FAAN and Arik.

FAAN, in a statement on Saturday, said it held “Arik Air liable for the circumstances leading to the stowaway of a teenage boy on its aircraft at the Benin Airport.”

In a statement signed by Dati, FAAN, said, “Arik Air acted with impunity by not stopping the aircraft to check when the crew and ground personnel’s attention was drawn to an abnormality on the tarmac.”

According to the FAAN spokesman, the procedure for such infraction is for the crew to abort the flight and return to the apron for check-up.

He blamed the airline for the alleged impunity, warning that the airport authority would not tolerate such infraction from any operator.

He said, “This is arrant display of impunity. The aircraft should not have taxied further, but return to the apron until a proper check is carried out on all parts of the aircraft. FAAN will not tolerate such impunity henceforth from Arik or any airline. Any violation would be met with applicable sanctions.

Dati, however, said the teenager was already giving useful information to unravel this ‘misnomer.’

In a swift reaction, Arik, in a statement, blamed FAAN for the huge breach in security, noting that the incessant cases of security breaches at the nation’s airport had become a major source of concern to the airline.

The statement quoted Arik’s Managing Director, Mr. Chris Ndulue, as saying, “We are worried by the incessant security lapses at our airports. We are appealing to the management of FAAN to immediately address the problem.

“The management of Arik Air has expressed shock over the incident, wondering how the teenager beat the aviation security personnel at the Benin Airport to get to the runway.”

Arik said its pilot had reported to the control tower the presence of a strange boy in the bush about 200 – 300 metres at the end of runway before leaving the airport.

Ndulue said the control tower had told its pilot that they were sending security men to the place to arrest the boy.

Ndulue, however, said, “As the captain was making his final turn, preparatory for take-off, a cabin crew called his attention to the information by some of the passengers that they saw a boy running towards the airplane. The First Officer confirmed that they had observed it earlier and alerted the control tower which responded that they had sent the patrol team to arrest the boy. The captain again reported to the control tower and was informed that the situation was under control and that he had been cleared for take-off.

“On arrival at the domestic wing of MMA, Lagos, a teenage boy, who apparently had sneaked into the aircraft main wheel well jumped out and was arrested by Arik personnel and handed over to FAAN security.”

The Arik aircraft with registration number, 5N-MJG Flight 44, which left the Benin Airport around 9am for Lagos, was said to have on board top officials of the Edo State Government.

A passenger aboard the flight, who spoke with Sunday Punch on the telephone said, “We felt the signs in Benin when the plane was about leaving and as it was moving slowly, we heard a loud noise as if the tyre crushed somebody on the ground and we all started shouting. It means the boy was already inside that tyre compartment before we left. We left for Lagos, but when we landed at Lagos Airport, the boy came out from the tyre hole, everybody started shouting.

“But speaking seriously, this shows that we have a serious problem as regards securing our airports. This is a serious security breach. If that boy was carrying bomb, it means he would have succeeded in blowing up the plane. How can somebody be in an aircraft without being detected; we are in trouble in this country.”

Though no official at the Benin Airport volunteered comment on the issue, it was gathered that the teenager may have gained entrance into the airport from the Akenzua road axis, where perimeter fencing is non-existent at different points.

In 2010, a desperate young Nigerian, Emeka Okechukwu Okeke, who tried to smuggle himself to the United States, died in the tyre compartment of a Delta Airlines aircraft and was discovered on arrival in New York.

Okeke, sneaked into the place at Lagos airport.

In 2012, the dead body of a young Nigerian man was also discovered in the wheel well, the undercarriage compartment of a domestic airline, after it returned from South Africa.

amelika..village man..from benin to lagos will land him overseas..abi?

dem-all-CRAZY

are u d guy?

Christopher Iwuchukwu

I agree wit u Shay…Nigeria is far behind the European and will never be like dem cos of dos Bastards governing us.God help us.

agu

Why dnt u desist from insulting pple for their comments,he knows why he said what he said,do u believe d youngster knew about the destination of the airplane?,dont just know why Nigerians wont learn to respect another’s funny opinions without debasing the person

Prince

Make them free that Guy, Only for does that has spiritual eyes 2 understand can explain what happen there, I think the U.S should send for that Guy and build his dreams .

abbey

seconded

runchy

benin agberos on the go

Gabbastic

All these comments do not address the issues and this shows how shallow many pple’s brains are.

tboy

I tire oo. People are just funny. Security bridges happen anywhere in the world how do you combat it should be the next agenda. On lighter mood na commando cause this thing oo.

tboy

I tire oo. People are just funny. Security bridges happen anywhere in the world how do you combat it should be the next agenda. On lighter mood na commando cause this thing oo.

Elochris

U don’t refer benin as agboro they are not known to agboro guy

ozaluoku

was he a spirit?what if it was a presdn..aircraft..but God forbid.if he was a terrorist..the aircraft would hv bn blown up..the faan and all officials on duty should be fired after questioning.such security lapse should be probed squarely

Humble

This boy is very tough and more evil/good should be expected from him in the near future if not now.

El realista

He is just a desperate young kid that didn’t realize what He did. Taking a hitch ride under a tyre is crazy. This is what happens when the society neglects her future generations. We are definitely products of our society.

Show of shame! Look at the way the so called unskilled security guy handle the poor boy? In advance world the first thing the security would do is to bring an ambulance or paramedics, take the boy to hospital for medicals, making sure the boy is alright no nerve damage or whatsoever after that traumatic experience before any investigation.

JOSEPH O.O.

U’re correct & boy might be on a mission 2 save all but it is only 4 those that has spiritual eyes 2 understand

omolundon

truly supporting you from London, when such happened during recent Olympic I saw how human is being valued and things conducted.

paul

Hausa security man is a fool for life he might thought he is dranging cow.

Tribal sentiment has beclouded your sense of sight and recognition. It is becoming malignant because you can no longer read and comprehend since it has gotten to your medulla. Where on earth has something been said here about Hausa as security or in the security system at ‘Benin airport that made this happened? Even the guy harassing the suspect in the picture might be no Hausa because the Lagos airport security men and women is filled to the brim with your tribe since your mama became the Minister of Aviation. The guy arrested is even your tribe. Now that international route is opened in Enugu, the rest of good people of Nigeria plus including your tribe will have rest from your vices

sunday

why are you commenting like this, it shows your hatred for Hausa people, stop all these tribalism and face the reality on ground

Obum

What are doing with ur Brain, are u to criticizing the security man or commenting on the insecurity in Nigeria……..?
Wise up!

blogNaija

yes!
Nigeria security kill both evidence and suspect; rubbishing every avenue to arrest crime squarely.
FAAN, this is an ugly situation. FAAN is responsible for security in airports.
unlike other situations nobody will be sanctioned for such gross negligence.
we are seeing blame game between FAAN and Arik which is very unfortunate.

Sunday Njokede

Yes. Thank you! Shame on Nigeria’s democracy, shame on incompetent system and more so, shame on the clueless and incompetent president who is now poster-boy for everything that ills Nigeria!

paul

@SUNDAY NJOKELE shame on your father and your generations born and unborn, shame on TINUBU AND BUHARI you idioticmoroninc follow

zeps revelation

Sunday, if you have nothing to say you better shut your trap up. Why calling Mr president incompetent and clueless? The problem of Nigeria is us all and not only with the presidency. Do what you are meant to do in your capacity, I do mine then Nigeria will be a better place.

abbey

see youths, our leaders of 2morrow,okay! if we hav a fommidable and uncorrupt leaders,if the minister emmbezzle project fund,why can’t they arrest him and let him face the consequense,but the fact is that our number 1 citizen of the country is also corrupt….that’s all

EUO EUO

SHAME ON YOU WHO FAILED TO REALIZE THAT FEMI FANI KAYODE STOLE SO MUCH AVIATION FUNDS WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN USED TO DO PERIMETER FENCING OF THE BENIN AIR PORT NEAR AKENZUA RD WHERE THE SMALL BOY SNEAKED INTO THE AIR FIELD. YOU BLAME JONATHAN FOR EVERYTHING . YOU BLAME GEJ EVEN FOR LACK OF SALT IN YOUR MOTHERS SOUP . YOU BLAME GEJ FOR EVEN 50YRS TROUBLE THAT NIGERIA HAS.

Sunny Oke.

What should anyone be expecting from a bunch of poorly trained and uninformed creatures in uniform, this is the sad state of present day Nigeria. Mediocres recruited to perform the roles of humans from the civil service to the private sector, our society stinks of endemic rot all the way to the presidency.

Ict Boss

Seconded.

EUO EUO

YOU KNOW HERE IN LAGOS , AGBEROS , OMONILES, AREA BOYS NOW GET JOBS , AS LASTMA, VIO, FRSC, SO THEY ARE ALSO GIVEN AVIATION JOBS. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THEM???

Wazobianija

What does Lagos got to do with this? You know what.. i will advice you to get a life and jump into lagos lagoon.

Ferrari

You are a fool childish idiot

Wazobianija

When are you going to park your load and head back East?

D1

TRUE WORD MY BROTHER

Wazobianija

Honestly i seconded you. The security man is an idiot.

Ölufemi

Very well said shay. Does not get better than how you have said it. It should not surprise you though because in this part of the world we are quick to claw on the scapegoat as long as it takes away the attention from our own negligence and incompetence. This was a very bold and courageous attempt from this lad. Whoever – if anyone – schooled this lad into taking such a dangerous path should also be sought out as well. This serves as another big reminder to those saddled with the responsibilties of maintaining and securing our airports that our airports need to be properly fenced and guarded. From the story i can picture the boy probably going through a bush path that leads to the runway and not through the normal security checks as some commenters here may think. Probably a reason why FAAN can blame Arik. But that said, the laxity of control tower officials was also at play here. They should have not cleared the plane for take off until proper security checks were carried out again on the plane. As for the Arik pilots too, they also should have insisted on not going ahead with the take-off as it could have been worse than this had this dare-devil act been badly intended which was a security risk to the entire passengers and crew. As for the boy, he should be given every form of medical attention and his parents or guardian shoud be invited too for questioning.

akara

Ol’ boy this is getting crazy.. Ndigbos claim they are getting deported from Lagos state, now a young boy from Benin gets on a flight to Lagos as a stoaway..

Am I missinbg something???? Is this not still highlighting the fact that Lagos state is the only functional arm of government in Nigeria?? At the very least I know for sure that money is not available for picking on the streets of Lagos..

Lolxxx.. Though this young boy chop liver. However, there should be an adult somewhere in Benin who assisted him to stowaway..

This is another reminder. The true wealth of a country is it’s people, and not the natural resources.. Imagine this boy using such strong will and motivation in education, sports or other aspects of human endeavour??? Nigerian leaders please stop dulling..

Provide affordable 24hrs stable eleectriity throught Nigeria and 80% of Nigeria’s problems will be solved.. President GEJ that is the only thing you can do for Nigeria..

Elochris

Igbo deport or not I know they are better than Yoruba in every thing.igbo is on their own while Hausa used Yoruba till tomorrow of cos there is a big between cow leg and capital B,in time of every Yoruba cannot invest in east not to talk of rent a flat or room ,or even stand Igbo take a good look at Lagos Igbos run 60 to70% of business in Lagos while opc make security for them other involve in tout agboro,omo onile imagine in their homeland ,that they supposed to have home advantage,and what if it s/e they will be 20 in one room either doing labourer,pushing barrow or begging on the street,guy Igbo have gone far both in their state or outside their state,imagine edo are denying odua b cos of Yoruba mentality

paul

STOP this your useless talk Igbos are not better than any tribe they are only better in damaging anything to attain anything they wanted money wise nothing more.

What they gains are lesser than what they destroy in the process so stop thinking a mad man faster in runing so he is more brianer than normal person that would coward reasoning as you just did here.

Omo Yoruba Kaaro Oojire

“…take a good look at Lagos Igbos run 60 to70% of business in Lagos while
opc make security for them other involve in tout agboro,omo onile
imagine in their homeland ,that they supposed to have home advantage,and
what if it s/e they will be 20 in one room either doing
labourer,pushing barrow or begging on the street,guy Igbo have gone far
both in their state or outside their state,imagine edo are denying odua b
cos of Yoruba mentality”… In fact, Yorubas are non-existent in Lagos while Igbos controls 99% of “everything”. Lest I forget, I can bet when the it gets to choosing who to follow, Igbos would have no brothers!

olubunmi

If your south east is good as you have painted the place to be, i wonder what you are still doing in Lagos. I reside in the east as a Yoruba man and i have traveled the length and breath of the east. The only thing as I see prominent is crime. And come to think of this, who are the people patronising your business in Lagos? Is it the Igbos? So if it is your host community i.e. the Yorubas and other non Igbo tribes, they are definitely richer than you. Stop kidnapping, oil bunkering, armed robbery, extortion, and you will see your business dwindling. I just hope you read what Benoinise said about you in Nigerian Newspaper yesterday.

adex

I dont make comment on people’s stuff, but I will here because you are the most stupid individual I ever….

tiji

This is exactly what is wrong with Nigeria. If you really love your south east and you said that the Igbo are better than the Yoruba,then what are you all doing in Lagos. The best thing for you to do is pack your bags and go home. It looks like you are not educated. Shame on you.

EUO EUO

THIS UNREPENTANT IDIOT!!!! PLEASE GO AND GET SOME GOOD EDUCATION YOURSELF. GET EDUCATED ON WHAT AN ARM OF GOVERNMENT IS ALL ABOUT !!! Please someone help tell this mumu that Lagos state is NOT an arm of government in Nigeria!!!!!!!

Philip

I second your idea. Our Security agents are horrible in the way they handle issues. A good handling will bring a good result. They should have first taken him carefully to the hospital for examination, confirm he is well before interrogation.

Chijioke Udoh

NIce 1

faruk

naija is not advanced na!!! lol infact,we refuse to advance………………..

juki

This boy has a talent yet to be discover, bravery at display, govt. should encourage this guy, before some people take advantage of his brilliant mind.
i wonder if any Air-force can compete with this guy…. i wish this guy display this talent in USA…..

sovi

GOD BLESS YOU SHAY. YOU COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER. I HAD THIS SAME COMMENT IN MIND. NIGERIANS NEED TO KNOW LIFE COMES FIRST

Jasper Ekerette

Honestly saying, if nigeria neglect this little boys intelligent, de white guys will secretly come and pick him, build him, mold him and turn him to a US intelligent officer

akpos1

This boy deserves a national award. Maybe an MON or GCON

Angryman

Let me be the odd man out
I know you will crucify me
I think the security man was right holding the guy fast
Who knows where he would have landed next
May be in the turbine of one of the planes
The guy is already a pro at stowing
Anyway he looks well enough
Moreover he climbed out of the hole himself unaided

Chief Of Zamunda

I agree. The security man is a daft donkey. The fault starts from there. Even in benin airport i’m very sure the security officials are also daft donkeys. Na where the problem start you point so. Their own fault and he held the boy as if he has done his work well. Beast!!!!!!!

London boy

Na…wooooh,God forbid….this one maybe another Anini or Osumbo

Nigerianyouth

GOD FORBID WETIN? MUGU. OLD MAN WHEN NO GET SENSE NA YOU BE. IF YOU KNOW WETIN TO WRITE, GO READ BIBLE.

Akpaka na Doha

The boy iz passenger 57,

omooba

This reinforces my oft-repeated fact that Nigerians – young and old – are animals.

Samuel Oni-Alfred

mmmm are from Ibadan?

Sodic Olanrewaju Lateef

WHAT DO YOU MEAN “mmmm are from Ibadan?” WHAT DOES IBADAN HAS TO DO WITH THIS? TAKE TIME O.

Contact Point

An award winning teenager, frankly i love the guts and spirit of the boy with his rosary proudly hanging on his neck.

paul

The boy should be immediately enlisted into AIRFORCE he will do wonder as a security personnel than what we have now from the backward north

prince

Yep @ contact point, that teenage boy deserves some credit not only beating the securities but at the same fly up there safely…

agege

The poor boy is on transit at MM his main target is ALITALIA going to Napoli.

JOSEPH O.O.

How i wish d plane landed in UK/USA where d poor boy will be taking care off & achieved his mission !!

Afrikan Eagle

It does not have to be US or UK. Any other sane country where human lives are valued would have given him humane treatment. Even Rwanda would have done better!

TITOMO

Instead of them writing about the boy’s health and safety they are writing about Edo State official on board. Our media houses are often feeding us with lies and hatred. That boy need medical and psychological attention.

paul

I tired o does Edo state has officials evil men they are useless adamic ADAMS GOVERNOR

Victor Adeoti

Serious security breach. We still Ħv A̶̲̥̅̊ very long way †̥O go in this country.

Olu Ajasco

This Dati or what his name is should just keep quiet and stop embarrassing the nation, didn’t the boy pass through your bunch of security begging passengers for money all the time? Instead of Dati to sack all the security on duty at that time, he is busy blaming the airline, where were your security men when the boy pass through the checks, stop showing your ignorance further.

loma

good talk my broder

Femi O

Dati is dirty!

Saint Cross

that boy should be free and giving 1million

Orodo

I think so, this boy is too young to think of impossible thing like this, his action is not one day thinking, maybe he wants to use this way to show case what his made for. Government should come to his aid to know what he wants in life.

olubunmi

Thanks joo. If i were GEJ, I will invite the guy, question him, investigate how he does it, find out how he felt in that place for 40 mins the journey lasted and take him to Europe and trained him in Intelligence of braking loose security, and turn him into interpol. I will also train him in sky diving, mountain climbing and all sort of sport relating to what he just did. We could learn one or two things from him or his act

dosky

no the parents should come out and get him a good manager. I’m not against him being punished for his crime however if properly managed he should make a lot of money from journalist who’ll pay to hear about his experience up there. 1 million is small.

Eyitayo King

Our press house don’t pursure such stories, too lazy to think about it. Who will write the story self.

The realist

Why is he being rough handled?our security operatives are so ill trained he should be should be at the hospital to make sure he is well physically and mentally.Poor guy a bus would have take you to Lagos why risk your life from almost 80% chance of death or maybe he thought the plane was flying to the u.s.a or Europe?then he must have mental problems as there are no direct flights to those destinations from Benin.

hao

Nigeria Airport, i dont think the teenager was the first person did it, let investigation commence, Benin Airport security must know about it, dont put blame on Arik airline

olaoluwa

what if the boy was sent to blow off that plane, what would have been your story today?? securities do your work well ooooooo.

Samuel Oni-Alfred

Abi oooooooo Olorun gba wa! God deliver us!

Eddy

In all these, no one is saying anything concerning the peremetre fencing. If the fence was in place, unauthorised access to the Airport premises wouldn’t have occurred. The inability of the security to be vigilant is secondary.

olubunmi

Tf you have perimeter fencing and it is not guided, the story will be thesame. If it is only guided by no of security men and women working at the Airport, it is same story.
According to the story, the pilot and passenger saw the boy. Radioed security people. Security people said the intrusion has been taken care off. The passenger sensed that it might not be true because they sensed something like the craft Tyre climbing something when the boy made contact with the front wheel.

The fault is both that of that of the security, the tower and the pilot.

item7

Real show of shame….our security thinks issues are sorted out by force. no…it is only undefined and misunderstood adventure to escape economic hardship for greener pasture that drove d poor guy to attempted suicide so to say. this is also an alarm bell to our big men that d young ones are becoming more desperate to escape economic strangulation armed with only chaplet hung on their necks. forget d untrained security fools.

dtoks

Nigerians are a curious lot, rather than accept complicity for negligence and apologize, FAAN and Arik Air are out there looking desperately to pass the buck. Then the security agents are seen clearly manhandling the teenager. We ‘ve got a long, long, long way to go in this country.

Elochris

If he is Muslim they should hold him thight may be he is son to imam shekau or oumaru second in command or a new system of terrorist or may be the bomb explovisive might fall from him when the flight took off ,it might be official person in that flight that they target to blow up the flight ,but they failed .just like imam Abdul Farouk cos they are all imam b4 going to terror mission ,now where is safe?

dosky

Just think of something. Does this boy need to hide in the tyre compartment to blow up the plane if that was his mission. he could have safely planted the bomb there and left, so i don’t think he is a terrorist. and your argument that the bomb fell is baseless cos it would have exploded.

Afrikan Eagle

Nigeria is winning on all fronts! *laughing out loud*

Richy Amechi Fidel

shame on Nigeria

Samuel Oni-Alfred

haba that is too much now,kudos to Nigeria a land of posibilities!

Elochris

If it peremeter fence which is known as unauthorized area there must be alarm on the fence,with height fence

Elochris

I wish the passengers and crew on board good luck cos this is a living testimony,and it needs thanksgiving and celebration imagine the boy seize the tyre of the plane or hook even fail that will be sad breaking news baba God no sleep

Emma

The boy is very creative, he should be train as a pilot.

olubunmi

Thanks my brother. Would they ever listen.

Banky

Do we have security in this country?If this boy want to bomb the plane,who will stop him?Dis country is finish!

Elochris

Guy imam Abdul Farouk they stopped him and attack him inside the flight u go watch it on YouTube guy shine ur eyes

OLAGBOY

Our leaders , our problems ,citizens of Nigeria are innocent of what they are passing true that means someone who escape through same route hinted that teenager who surpassed security check to land safely in Lagos .This boy should be commended for his brilliant performance and i recommend him as a star who deserve an award for alerting our dead security post,all the chiefs security must be sacked.Let us assume Government officials are planning to travel ,they are specialist who then know how to beef up Security that could not have killed ordinary kitchen fowl .It is a shame on this present Government that claim to be providing unattainable security as an agenda .

Samuel Oni-Alfred

dont put this blame on the doorstep of government but its agencies particularly the securiry agents.

Alaska

are security agencies not government?

Mo70

Nigerians are animals…see how this little boy is being manhandled by the security guard..God!!

emma

god safe nigeria.

Samuel Oni-Alfred

AMIN ooooooooooooooooo

Elochris

May the boy wants to learn how to be a pilot or escort attached to the flight

PEACE

I wonder what would have happen on this forum today?that is,if this little boy name were to be Abdul or Ismail with some Islamic signs across is neck.Now that the little boy is one of their own,nobody is interested on the name he bears nor the religion he practices or even his region of birth.Wonder shall never end they say,let us all check ourselves and see if what we portrait of others on this forum,is what we will like to be portrait of.

dosky

what have you said?

Anthony Kennie Oladipupo

hahahaha and this is a total shame to the country for the security breach

Samuel Oni-Alfred

you can say that again the boy deserves an award for making us know of this posibility!

Anthony Kennie Oladipupo

imagine the lives at a risk if the boy had a bomb in with him ?

Samuel Oni-Alfred

Abi?

FamilyReconciler

It is a pity that Nigeria improves on security after we might have witnessed an unwanted situation. When you go to police situation in those days, you will see police men and women gisting and playing with their folks but today, they will see you miles away. This is happening after the event of Boko Haram attacks on our police stations. Now that this had happened, am sure even the innocent travellers and air staff will be subjected to untold security checks and embarrassment. For how long do we need to loss innocent souls to security lapses in our nation? Everyone should do what he or she is been paid for.

I congratulate the poor boy for coming out alive at least he will tell us his reason and sponsor. Hope this will not be difficult for us to hear within the next 48 hours. Nigeria shall be great.

Emeka

I expect to hear that all the we urity men and the flight crew (pilot and first officer) are sacked for negligiece with immediate effect. The boy in question should be taken for health and psychological checks. This act can be turned into a positive thing by the movie industry. God help us all.

Chike

Thank God the boy did not die. Am happy he flew thesame airplane with top govt officials. Bad leadership has compromised the future of many youths. With abject poverty and bleak future starring at majority of the populace,more of this desperation for greener pastures is to be expected in the years ahead.

xcellentohrays

They should just let the boy be , who knows if he’s the conductor of the plane ? He might be owing some passengers some change, they should go get their change and moreover this boy should have been handled with care instead of mal-handling him,given good food so he can recuperate from the trauma he has passed through afterall he’s not the first neither will he be the last..o boy u be james bond joor

May God save us! If this boy can get in there, Islamic extremists can also find their way there and murder people…FAAN and Arik air are to blame!

abiodun johnson

Jonathan administration and his incompetent staffs again, it seems as if this Otueke fisherman is an expert in picking empty heads as staffs to man strategic positions.

Kabolic

Why can’t you comment without insulting GEJ? Must he be everywhere ? By the way, what do you mean by ‘staffs’

frank kossi

you are stupid

EUO EUO

YOU ARE MORE STUPID !!! YOUR EMPTY HEAD DOES NOT REMIND YOU OF FFK STOLEN AVIATION FUNDS WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN USED TO DO PERIMETER FENCING OF THE BENIN AIRPORT WHERE THE BOY SNEAKED INTO THE AIR FIELD. YOU BLAME GEJ FOR EVERYTHING EVEN WITH APC IN EDO STATE WITHOUT GOOD SECURITY AROUND .

dosky

The inability of the present day Govt. to probe FFK if he indeed stole fund is a show of clueless-ness of our president. or I’m I the one to go collect aviation money from FFK. If only you’re wise you’ll realize that we only have business with whom we have chosen as leader. If we Nigerians wanted to collect stolen fund from FFK in our own way then GEJ has no business being the president.

EUO EUO

THEN WE NEED CALL OTHERS NAMES NOT GEJ. OTHERS LIKE EFCC , ICPC , FG ATTORNEY GENERAL, IG OF POLICE , SSS ETC , OR WE NEED GEJ SIT IN EVERY OFFICE INCLUDING STANDING IN THE BENIN AIRPORT DOING THE SECURITY THERE.

Samuel Oni-Alfred

Thank God the boy was not clad in bombs our security operatives should be more vigilant,please release the boy I doubt he had a comfortable ride,at least he has opened our eyes to a lot of pssibilities.If he were a boko-haram member lives would have been wasted.

runner

Nigeria this is nothing compared to what has been happening that we do not know about! Let us just keep praying for peace and security in this country! Almighty Allah we need your help

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This boy is going to enter Guinness book of record that survive such thing,if he is not truly a terror that sent him

http://cfagbata.com Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr.

Wow! Now this is a brave guy and he should be converted to work for the Govt. like the FBI or CIA would do.

EMMANUEL BEN

Very soon we will have armed robbers operating on the airspace of this country. I the laugh o. God help us o.

faruk

next stop-new york on arik!!! lol

Nelson Mbagwu

Free flight noww!!!

Jacklyn Randy

Nigerians,we are in trouble the so called security should be sacked;they are not securing their work allow the boy to be is an hero and he should trained

Omo

Omo
Very wel, that boy needs to be rewarded with 1 million naira for giving us a useful information against danger, where was the so called the security when the boy gain access to the Airport at first place, there was no screeming. why beating the boy you should thank God for his life and them find out some useful informations from he, and them ask he what could have lead to that risk he took, lack of transportation, poverty, many more question should be ask instead of draging he.

sunny

Amnesty international in Nieria should come in fast, to save that boy and let’s hear his story why he was running away from home and his state, “shame on Nigerian’s leaders, failed all the promising youths”!, cant you see how innocent that little boy was!

Omo

Thank God there was no plane crash, No dead report.

OMOJOLA OLAKPE

Apart from the mentioned security lapse in our airport i also want to create awareness among airline passengers of the new crime trend taking place on Nigeria airplanes.

There is a criminal gang operating on various airlines plying various routes in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa in general.
A member of this criminal gang was caught on board Arik airline removing money and valuables from another passenger’s bag placed on the cabin compartment.
On further investigations it was discovered that this syndicate board airline on the pretext of travelling but in actual fact there main purpose is to burgle passenger’s hand luggage in the cabin luggage compartment.
They normally travel only on executive and business class as their main target is the businessmen and VIPS who carry large amount of foreign and local currency on these class.

To avoid detection they use various forms of identity with different names to buy tickets and their major routes is Lagos –Abuja- –Phcourt and Kano they also ply Ghana,Cameroun,Cote d ivoire ,South Africa and Dubai.
Their main target is the passengers hand luggage placed in the cabin compartment of the airplane.
They target this hand luggage’s to steal foreign currencies but at times go for local currencies and other items like gold, jewelries because they understand that the Nigerian economy and that of the majority of this countries are still cash driven therefore businessmen and passengers plying this routes carry a lot of cash.
There activities are targeted at elite airlines like Arik, Euro, IRS etc being majorly patronized by big businessmen and politicians who carry large amount of foreign and local currency.
As I write to you majority of passengers travelling on various airlines across Nigeria and West Africa sub-region have lost huge sums of money in local, foreign currencies and personal items to this gang.
Though the affected passengers might not report any loss to the airlines because they do not understand how the money was removed from their hand luggage’s but some of these victims might think is the handiwork of the cabin crew.
I am therefore urge all intending airline passengers to be vigilant and watch carefully their hand luggage placed in the cabin compartment above their seats because this guys burgle baggage’s and luggage’s of passengers that has slept off or the ones that are not paying attention.
Please use your very popular and widely read website to create more awareness so that more passengers do not fall victim to this thieves.
Most Sincerely
Omojola Olakpe

Mr.Speak

If you support Hon. Sunday Njokede, say aaaaaah!, If you support Hon. Paul, say bbbbbbbh, ccccccccccch have it. Next.

Paul Orji

The Edo state Governor now see how youths and teens are running away from Edo. What a Governor who plans everything but ignores teens and small boys. We need more sporting facilities like Row park, Swiming pools. Tables tennis centers that will attract these call of youths. The boy must be given a medal or state award. For bravery and courage.

olubunmi

Why don’t you comment on security lapse rather than misleading readers that Edo youths are running away from the state because of the Governor inability to plan for youths. Shall we say that it is because of South Eastern Governors inability to plan for youth that made all of them traffic holdup sales boy and girls in Lagos, Portharcourt, Akure, Ilorin, Bida, Ado, Sango, Abeokuta, Markurdi et cetera?
I do not believe you

EUO EUO

WHILE PDP IS BUSY OPENING A BRAND NEW TARMAC OF ENUGU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT , APC HARAM PARTY IS DOING REHEARSAL USING A SMALL BOY TO TEST THEIR PLAN TO USE BOKO HARAM IN OUR BENIN /LAGOS AIRPORTS DURING 2015 ELECTIONS.

Ofuruye Ofurukanme

Our security personnel in all strata of Nigeria are brainless. They either seen brandishing guns or rough handling innocent citizens and journalists. That is what they are trained for. Ogogoro and Egunje security men without any element of intelligence.
Nigeria securities handle more guns per day than all the security personnels in the whole of Europe.
Instead of hiding their head in shame to investigate how the boy humiliated their structure, they are here harassing a boy that beat their security apparatus.
EWU can beer.

He quickly transformed to a human being, hence he was apprehended
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

angryman

why can’t govt officials just own up to their responsibility they ve guffed in this case so why not accept. FAAN is responsible for security so any security breach is their fault about returning the air craft back to apron am sure they was an air traffic controller who authorised take off get him to expalin why he did that

Orodo

Because of begging attitude of the security men in our airports they will not notice that boy. They will live their duties always looking for whom to beg money. Their language is, Oga anything for your boys?? if you look at them, old men but they still answer boys every day. They should not use shame to harm that boy!, he should be treated very well for them to know what brought his action.

omotayo

Omotayo,

Abeg, Leave the boy jare. Give him a job, the boy is smart.!

Dammy Ray

Everybody should look outside the box and see that this boy is actually what USA govt would employ as a federal spy or CIA agent with proper training ! He is still a teenager and he beat a whole airport security , Nigerians should start embracing the talents of the youth and help them use it in a better way than just waste away their lives !

Jamie’s Airspace

FAAN should stop heaping the entire blame on Arik. It is also to blame for not ensuring tight security at the airport. It shows how porous the security at Nigerian airports are.

Usman

“…The teenager was already giving useful information to unravel this ‘misnomer’.” Before hurriedly concluding on the fate of anyone involved in the matter let’s wait to hear what was the “useful information”.

Eyitayo King

This our security guys need trainings in handling human related issues, why is the policeman handling the boy this way, you can’t scare him any more than he was scared when embarking on the dangerous mission impossible. What I see in all of this is a boy determine to break loose from whatever is holding him Down and then make a difference in his life time just that he probably took the wrong route( airplane). Imagine if he had landed in Europe or America, am sure they’ll first be scared and then treat him well and find out what made him to do what he did, and finally train him to be somebody useful to the society. We can do same for him here at home. Governors Fashola and Oshiomole over to you.

dosky

he couldn’t have landed in Europe alive. international planes fly very high and it will be impossible to remain alive at that high altitude for a 5-6 hour journey. Even this one that he has done is a miracle

Eyitayo King

Thanks, it’s that miracle that I want investigated, the boy’s mind set, he could end up being a genius in future. Agreed what he did was risky but then some of the best things in life are achieved while taking risks. But leaving the boy aside, what were the airport authority and security doing when they were informed about the boy’s presence before the plane took off? This is a serious security breach, it could have been The President’s plane for all I care.

SOVI

GOD BLESS YOU SHAY. YOU COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER. I HAD THIS SAME COMMENT IN MIND. NIGERIANS NEED TO KNOW LIFE COMES FIRST.

Debo Ajayi

The purpose of the government is to serve and meet the needs of her people. The government that is ready to do that will value and listen to her people. The lives of the Nigerian are they valuable to the government?
Look at how a teanager is being treated by the careless securities and the aircraft crew beacuse of the way the government treats her people.
The boy is passing a message that is in the mind of all Nigerian youth. Hope we’ll listen and … So many people care only about themselves alone and care not what happen to the next neighbour.

abbey

@shay you are 100% accurate, first the boy is a teenager and should have been examined medically and physically, and not rough handle like a hardened criminal, the airport security crew should be sanctioned otherwise.

gudlok

the boy and his parents should thank GOD he is alive

Omo Yoruba Kaaro Oojire

“In 2010, a desperate young Nigerian, Emeka Okechukwu Okeke, who tried to
smuggle himself to the United States, died in the tyre compartment of a
Delta Airlines aircraft and was discovered on arrival in New York.”

BENGHAZI

I fear the youth of nowadays. How much is transportation by road from Benin to Lagos, than to go and risk his life inside plane tire compartment. What of if that compartment open in the sky accidentally? May be young sharp thought the plane is going to London. I didn’t blame him,since everyone want to jet out of Nigerian hard economy. I believe that someone working with that plane know about the plan. Govt should help the innocent boy.

dosky

the tire compartment actually opened in the sky or how else did the tires come out for landing. also the plane would have been in the air before it closed after take-off.

tunde

Wonders!!

AnthonyIloegbunam

Both the Captain and the airport security personel have equal blame this issue. Ineficiency on the part oboth parties. Ministry in chrge of aviation industry must make Arik air pay for this reckless mistake. The fine must run into billions

Turning Point

If this boy was Mutallab, I wonder what will be the story of the passengers now. Why on earth do people relegate their duties for which they are paid to perform. This is how Boko haram infiltrated the northern bombers while the Customs and Immigration watched with chagrin.

Wow.. I admire the boy’s spirit of daring and adventure. I hope many more Nigerian youths posses such intestinal fortitude.

With 10,000 youths with such daring, the powerful thiefing leaders will not last long.

Fly high boy!!

una no ready for life

give this young lad a national honour, if you think otherwise try what he did.

Sir Sokari Dappa Andrew-Jaja

FAAN, admit guilt and stop passing the buck. Nigerians are not fools. 1. Unauthorized persons are not supposed to be at the airport. 2. No aircraft ever takes off without clearance from the control tower. This is a very serious issue. The boy could have been a suicide bomber.

dosky

FAAN cannot blame Arik for this because they (FAAN) shouldn’t have cleared the aircraft for take off, but I as an observer will blame Arik together with FAAN. That Arik pilot shouldn’t have taken off at all until he sees evidence that the treat has been removed. I remember once i was travelling between Lagos and London and there was a little conflict between the actual number of passengers on board and the manifest, apparently one passenger had checked-in without boarding. the pilot refused to take-off giving 2 options either the luggage of the passenger be taken off the plane or we wait for him as airport officials confirmed he was been delayed by security operatives. It was Virgin Atlantic that day and the pilot insisted he would not carry luggage of someone not on-board the plane. Makes sense to me.

adex

It could have been planted bomb!! God save us in Nigeria…..

Gomez

The truth of the matter is that many of our security personnel does not merit the job, because they don’t merit the job, they don’t discharge their duties with passion. In oversea, the personals do the job with passion making sure things are done right but in Nigeria anything goes. If it is the responsibility of FAAN to secure the airport, then they should be sanctioned.

faruk

just saw on telly,channels tv precisely that FAAN is blaming arik on the stowaway. Funny,i thought FAAN was in charge of airport security!!! a situation where baggage handlers steal travelers’ luggages and pilfer from them with reckless abandon as well as a situation whereby these same handlers aid and abet drug smugglers to swap luggages is very dangerous. rather than probe where the lapses occurred and apportion blame and punishment where necessary,these people are busy blaming the airline!!!!!

adeyoola

The Nigeria aviation securities are look wormers, all they know is to flex at beer parlor, carrying women around. they should apologize for the way they miss -handled the boy.
To me the boy is a Hero, in advanced world the boy would have been treated with ought most respect for such adventure.
More so, it shows that Nigeria government has failed totally, here are two references made of same case, people have no hope in Nigeria any more.
Government should take to its responsibilities for is people by providing the basic needs of life and stop fooling around with the wealth of the nation.

MAZI OKOROBIDO

I AM DOUBTING THIS STORY, HOW CAN A HUMAN BEING SURVIVE THIS?

ovisky

So if the boy was a suicide bomber it means he would have successful carried out a deadly attack. The Airport security and Arik should be held responsible for this grave negligence.

alf

Somebody has to be sacked for this! The young boy should be released and taken to the hospital immediately. The focus of this type of incident is to make sure it does’nt repeat itself, but we go hear, sabi, sabi people with no action!

Omotolaaraujo

Eventually here every story ends with some bigoted fight in the comments. What are you fighting between each other for? It’s just stupid to read. The government and agencies in Africa are failing to represent citizens. The only time anyone with any authority cares is when they are embarrassed. He’s a kid for Christ’s sake. Thank God he’s alright.

Gulak

Mr. OLu James Omosule said: – My goal is not just to give some people work. My goal is to make sure that everybody in our country has the chance to realise their hopes and dreams and that their families can do much better. Because it’s not good enough for some to do well while we leave others behind. As President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will work every day to make sure that everyone has a chance in Nigeria.

Clement Afoegba

This is to tell you of the level of porosity of our so called security network/systems.if it were to be BK trained IED carrier the whole air line and the passengers will have been blown off, This a sign for us to go back to the drawing board and re-strategies ,

fagbola Taiwo

IT IS ONLY GOD THAT WILL SAVE US, LATE FELA HAS SAID NA ARRANGEMENT.
.

bmf

Insexurity failure, arrested or not arrested the young boy accomplished his mission and has slapped the aviation with shame.infact he shd be honoured…

Apeiye Becon Clement

God is our Security not Man

SULAIMAN ADELEKE

BIG SHAME

Angryman

The boy is now a security risk
I think he should be given a new identity and sent abroad to study [ with 007 as one of his lecturers ] before unscrupulous people get their hands on him

campdavid24

Iv been reading alot of comments here, some have been placing the blame at the presidents foot, others saying the president has nothing to do with this, im just frankly suprised that heads have not rolled over this, because to expect some one to resign honorably over in Nigeria is like boiling a stone and waiting for it to soften. its painful that no President in Nigerias History would seize a moment in history to be decisive, iF i was Jonathan i would first of all fire the minister, then have the new man coming in fire the ppl directly involved. just by doing that will help improve the system even if a little. but no. the next president coming in is always duller than the last one. the president doesnt seem to be a bad person but he is obviously incompetent. and so are his apointees.

MUSA OLAIWON

There is cause for concern about problems facing Nigeria that has made some fellow Nigerians to be so desperate to leave the nation by all means possible including risking their lives and died in the process.

This boy should not be charged to court and be prosecuted for security offence. Nigeria as a nation lack security to protect lives and properties of the citizens. This boy should be pity and not harrassed, bullied and intimidated. He is a very brave boy and should be encouraged to use his bravery in a useful way. I can see this boy becoming a millionaire in Nigeria if he is supported but this is Nigeria where nothing works except bribery and corruption in high places.
This boy should be taken to his parents and be given free education to university level or if he is interested in trade he sholud be given money by the state Government to run his own bussiness. People should stop castigating him and his act of bravery should make the Government of Nigeria to reflect on their treasury looting abnd focus on Nigeria social and econmic development.

Nigerians who could not secure employment should be given certain amount of money on weekly on monthly basis. If Libya can afford to give it citizen money and Saud Arabia can do the same nothing is preventing Nigerians who are poor from receving the handout.
Nigeria as a nation is not poor but mismanagement of our resources with resultant effects of lack of employment, good road, poor health services and low salary. Minimum wages in Nigeria should not be less than twenty five thousand naira a month.Jamaica mininmum wage is about fifty thousand naira per month and this country does not have oil like us. What is wrong with our leaders?

Give me Nigeria to run for a year and if i don’t turn the nation around within that time i want to be publicly executed because i will sign my own bullet before i take over the reign of the nation. Anybody minister working under me must be ready and willing to face the music that i am ready to face.

As a student activit at the University of Ibadan i saw students tamering with the union fees and pundered about the future of Nigeria. I asked myself question, are these students the future of Nigeria? The acts of looting as displayed by the so called youth is worst than that of the elders. Only God can safe Nigeria from corrupt Nigeria leaders. Abacha looted the treasury and stole billions that were scattered around the world. Some of the money has not been recovered by now. The Ministers and Governors who worked under Abacha were equially guilty and they should declared their assests before and after they were appointed by Abacha. Nigeria as a nation needs revolution that should sock the world.

I am happy about somthing and that is everybody will die whther rich or poor but the children of the politicians need to pray very well so that the sins of their parents will not be visited on them. God states in the bible that He will visit the sins of the father on their children up to the fifth generations. I always ask God not to visit the sins of my parents on me.
Musa Olawon works for National Health Service in the United Kingdom where he resides.

kizzy

woah, it’s really surprising that there are people out there in the world who’ll look at u and despice you on sight cause of your colour “black” racist people are out there that despice the entire black race and what most of us can do is to despice each other too and engage in tribalism. Common “Wise up” and step your game up !

Dabsy

A babies worst nightmare is to be born in Nigeria

Zelo

I really wonder why we ponder over this. This is Benin we are talking about … the boy must have been flying on his own and later got intercepted by this plane … if you get what i mean. Tell me how he could have survived such a high altitude in an un-enclosed compartment at a temperature of about 0 degree centigrade without a survival kit. Unless if the STP conditions up there (33000 ft) has changed in recent times.

Nicholas

This is total bullshit , why on earth would aviation security handle the boy like that ? U are bunch of insects , you should be happy the boy landed successfully And he should be put on book of record , sily aviation securities na only to collect egunje them sabi

Bakassi

Airport security for naija is zero. When officers are always busy obtaining money from innocent travellers just the way policemen do theirs on the streets. The boy must have bribed the officers with 100naira to pass. May God help us in this country.

Ojooh

Damn i love this boy, see what COMNADO have caused, too much of action movie. See as that idiot is dragging the brave boy.

D1

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND GET ALL THE SECURITY AGENTS
AT THE BENIN AIRPORT ARRESTED. THIS LITTLE BOY HAS JUST PROVEN THAT
BENIN AIRPORT IS NOT SECURED. IF IT WAS TO BE A SUICIDE BOMBER LIKE THE
BOY THAT WAS CAUGHT IN THE UNITED STATES, MANY LIVES WOULD HAVE GONE.
ARIK AND THE GOVERNOR OF EDO STATE SHOULD TAKE GOOD CARE OF THIS BOY AND
TRAIN HIM IN SCHOOL TO UNIVERSITY LEVEL FOR EXPOSING THE INSECURITY OF
BENIN AIRPORT. ALL AIR TRAVELER SHOULD BE THANKFUL TO THIS LITTLE BOY
FOR EXPOSING THIS INSECURITY.

ONYE-EZE

Both FAAN and ARIK should be ashamed of themselves. The poor boy should even attended to for having devised such a means and having survived the heat. He should not be rough handled. The security operatives should mind how they touch him. After all, it is the boy that submitted himself to them. So, I’m of the opinion that the poor boy’s problem should attended to for taking such a risk. After all, that is struggle for survival . of fittest. The mother should be released too. She did not master mind the act. In fact, The Arik management should pay her for …

FUVKNIJA

HE SHOULD BE REGISTERED ON HOLLYWOOD, HE IS GOOD SUPERSTAR.. WOOOOOOOOOOOW

FUCKNIJA

FUCK YOU PRESIDENT FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Isaac

This boy was able to bypass security successfully. I think he deserves a medal……or at least, Nigeria considers him as an asset….he’d be good in special forces if trained. Because to hang on a plane’s landing gear takes a really BIG mind.

Truetalk

I can confirm to Punch that a resemblance happened in Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja on the 16 of August,2013.The Arik plane that departed Abuja to Lagos arround 8pm was carrying a security detail of a top official and the mobile policeman was carrying AK 47 gun on board.You can confirm from passengers on board of that plane,that particular day.Only God would save us.

Isaac

This boy was able to bypass security successfully. I think he deserves a medal……or at least, Nigeria considers him as an asset….he’d be good in special forces if trained. Because to hang on a plane’s landing gear takes a really BIG mind.

Isaac

This boy was able to bypass security successfully. I think he deserves a medal……or at least, Nigeria considers him as an asset….he’d be good in special forces if trained. Because to hang on a plane’s landing gear takes a really BIG mind.

Tracy Morrissette

that is a security breach, the boy must have made up his mind to achieved his goal or die. This is a symbol of pourverty in the system of nigeria. The government should have a clue that nigerians are getting fraudstrated and some of them are ready to die, they should use this as an example to do well to the citizen because in this life no body is. God help us in this life risk country.

Avaition minister pls,help send this young boy to aviation school,to make his dream come true

Young Genius

This is a very embarrassing or should i say degrading situation whereby the SO-CALLED Arik Airlines could not even GUARANTEE advanced SECURITY services. Shame on all you so called business bodies, all you people care about is MONEY.

cole

you are really a genius, we need people who can make use of their brains in this country

Elics (Dr)

My few experience in flying, i have always seen airport security checking tyre compactment with touches b4 taken off. Could’nt be this boy had Studied the security system for months and knew he could only be there at exact time? I think he is not just a boy but genius in the making. The SSS should make use of him rather than treat him like a criminal. Daniel need to be assisted to achieve his dreams and NGOs Civil society should rise up to this challenge. (Rev. Ogolor and bros Osakwe where are you?)

Spokesperson for the Senate Unity Forum, Senator Kabir Marafa, saying his colleagues passed a vote of confidence in Dr. Bukola Saraki’s senate leadership in order to spite President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress leadership.